Guide for endless tracks



pt 1943. E. L. ALLEN ETAL G'bIDE FO R ENDLESS TRACKS Filed Sept. 3, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 N5 50% l M s .1 Y m BMm m1; m a MMH MJ/ 0 E. V.. B

Sept. 28, 1943. E. L. ALLEN EI'AL GUIDE FOR ENDLESS T RACKS 3 Sheets-Sheet 2- Filed Sept. 5, 1941 INVENTORS: Eownv L. ALLEN BY Hana/.0 B.MU$TER if?! a! 7;11/

TTORNEYS.

Sept. 28, 1943. ALLEN ETAL 2,330,786

GUIDE FOR ENDLESS TRACKS Filed Sept. 5, 1941 5 Sheets-Sheet s (III/1m INVENTOR$:' EDWIN L. ALLEN BY Hana/.0 B. MUSTER ATTORNEYS.

Patented Sept. 28', 1943 1 UNITED y 2,330,786 GUIDE FOR; ENnLEss'TnAoKs Edwin LAllen" and Harold B. Muster, Cleveland Heights,'0hio'. assigiiiors to Rudolph I. Schone itzer, Shaker Heights, Ohio Application September 3, 194 1,, -Serial=No. 409,334-

'14 Claims.- (onset-.10)

This invention relates to improvementsin a' guide especially adapted for use with a flexible;

endless, seli -laying track of a type used for'tractrs,tanks, trucks and the like.

This-invention is an improvement or the" guide disclosed and described inPatent- No. 2107 490 granted February 8,1938, to Robert'Mayne'l The guide shown in. this prior patent was adapted for productiononly by forging,- resulting'in a number of objections anddisadva'ntages- The production was relatively slow and costly. It was difficult to get: the necessary hardness for withstanding the abrasive action of sand and water encountered during the use of tracks of this type because the forging had to be-kept soft enough for subsequentlmachining operationsa'ndl i-f: treated: for hardnessafter machining, dist-or tion would; occur. sectionand the small clearances desired could not beheld (within: desirab'le'limit idue to the in herent characteristics of commercial forging: processes. .Consequently vital sections of the guides were sometimes smaller than desired, thus increasing the likelihood of--breakage in services The surfaceof the-forgingswasrelatively uneven and rough, thus accelerating the cutting action of y the. abrasive materials encountered in service and leading togreater. wear.

An object of the present invention is to over:

come the above objectionable features and disadvantages. Our improvedi guide may bemadei otmetal stampings sothat'the production is rela tively rapid and inexpensive; Suitable: hardness may be provided in the finished product because no machiningis' necessary after fabrication. Arc-- curacy of shape and cross section can' beheld within the desired limits so that no weak' sec} tions are produced, The surface of the finished Accuracy of shape and crossv product is relatively even and smooth thus diminw ishing' the abrasive action when thelproduct. is in service. I Other advantages, impossiblein the prior .device, are produced by arranging a plurality of metal stampings insuch a manner as to rein-j force each other when they are finally assembled I into the completed guide. Also 'interengaging positioning surfaces have been provided between thexguide members and the track so that when these members and track crossbars are clampingly secured together the positioningsurfaces are "wedged tightly together thus preventing movement of the guide members: Another improvement is the provision of V deformations; the metal plates of which theguide members-are formed extending, in directions to provide the:

desired bears strength for transmitting: lateral track thrustfrom one guide member to the other; Still: another advantage 1S"the"D!'QViSl@-i1 of novel interenga'ging'; positioning: pants on. the crossbar andion theguid'e xiieinberso'that theguide mem hers are firmlyp'osition ed' on the. traclrr Anotheradvantage is the provision of abutmentsk on the Crossbars p'ositioneci-r'to limit. movement of the guide: members transversely" of thepath-o'f track movement" and: strong guide lug? portions int r'-.- engaging between: adjacent guide members so that these abutmentsi'and guide members resis localized;forcesitendinsto' move a portion of the traclhout of a rectiiinear paithr= Other? objects? and advantages of the present inventionrwillappear from the accompanyindrawings and! description and the essential fea'e tunes" thereof- Will'be set forth-"in the 1 claims;

In't'liedrawings; I t

Fig, 1 isa side elevation of a portion of an' endless track equipped with tour-improvement; a po'rtionbeing cut away to show-1' the applicationoftheimprovediguideimember; H

,1 Fig. 2:; is a bottom view of exto tion of' the track at Fig lzas viewed generally from the line Fig. lgaxidshows the" anplioa ion of several of theinterfittin guides v v Fig: 3 is: afl'el'l'lfllged" side 'elevati n of one 'suide member partly" in seotion taken along he. l ne 3- -3 of Figifir Fig. eds a transversoseotionalview throu h a eflide memher shovrine-its-applioation"to at ack crossbarand taken fiiQE g"t '1 IleT%- .Fi r 5; Fig; 5 aplanview oithcgu deoi: Fi s; 3 ami eas viewod aicnethel ie? 5 of Fig; 3- i. r Fig. Bis atransverse:sectional-view taken-al ne the:=line$e6'o1ig. 5; c y r Fisz- Pie transverse se tional v ew takers-lone the'iilw'l of fig'. t i 7 v y Fig wad detail plan vi wof al cating channel winch-dorms" the bo om por ion he g ide member? o.

'Eig: 91isside elcvaiional view o th channel or'fFigr 8., taken pa t yiin se tion along the li e- 9'-+ dime-,8; v i i Fi 1' is a side e evation ea -to ngse tien, alon line litm of r of a modified fo ol gil deimemben v v Eta 1i issa centralsec ional i w. thro e the u de oi -F e- 10- taken along thence Jim-lief Fist-12.

lt hasnot boen thought necessary to illustrate portions shown in Figs. 1 and 2 for the reason that the present invention is applicable to a wellknown type of endless track, such as that shown in the Mayne patent referred to above. Such a track comprises parallel flexible endless bands [5 and I5 connected together by metal crossbars 56 spaced at regular intervals and preferably embedded in, the rubber of the endless bands so as to form a firmly united flexible endless selflaying track. This track as shown in the'above referred to patent passes over suitable idlers and beneath load bearing wheels or rollers and is generally driven by a sprocket, the teeth of which engage between the endless band in the spaces between the crossbars I6.

The present invention relates generally to 1m endless track are thus transmitted between the slidingly engaged lug portions of adjacent guide members. This causes the guide lug portions to act as cantilever beams and this beam action is greatly assisted by the flange deformations b. Other deformations at 200 where the plates 29 and 20 rest on the crossbar aid this beam action and at the same time give better bearing against the abutments 23 on the crossbar. These plates are also provided with tongues Zlld extending inwardly between positioning abutments 23 on the crossbar member I'Bb.

provements in the guide members indicated gentioned Mayne patent. Each crossbar as best seen in Fig. 4 comprises two portions 16a and, I6!) which are held together by any suitable means but here shown as connected by the stud I60 which extends from the portion. 16a through an opening Hid in the portion I6?) and all held together by the nut l8 which may also serve to clamp a guide member in position. The two portions of the crossbar clampingly engage the endless cables l9.which, as shown in the Mayne patent, form a part of the endless bands l5 and I5. The crossbar portion Nib is preferably provided with sprocket engaging abutments Ifie.

The guide member shown in Figs. 1 to 9 in-.

elusive comprises two outer plate halves 20 and 29', an inner plate 2|, and a locating channel 22 all welded together into'a unitary rigid assembly. In general the guidel-member'is ofv H- form' with the central portion of the H being a fiat portion parallel to the inner face .ofathe crossbar l6 and secured thereto on the stud Mic. The plate member 2| is generally U-shape in central transversesection having a centralportion Zia and side flange portions Zlb in planes at I rightanglestothe central portion. Reliefcuts 34 in plate 2! are for the purpose of facilitating the bends between portions 2lb and Zla. The outer plate members 20 and 28 are alike-and comprise side walls 20a forming the'sides of the H-form and bent inwardly along their peripheral edges as shown at 20b to reinforce the edges of the guide lug portions so -as to form stronger beam members. The edge flanges 2022 also provide a'rounded leading edge for the guide where it slides into contact with the wheels and also the adjacent guides. Referring to Fig. 2, it will be seen how the'parallel sides of the H-form are spaced more closely together at one endof each guide member so that they enter into the more widely spaced guide lug'portions of the adjacent guide member with slight clearance. Thus these guide lug portions slidingly interengage permitting flexing of the track asit moves about its idlers and sprockets but maintaining alinement in the path of travel of the track. The forces tending to laterally displace a portion of the Referring to Fig. 4, the hollow spaces above the deformations 20c give a box beam construction at thispoint' which is very strong. Additional strength for the guide lug portions which extend outwardly from the central portion is provided by outwardly extending deformations 25 ofthe plates 26 and 29', best seen in Figs. 3, 5 and 6. Other strengthening deformations are provided at 26 by bending portions of the plate 2! inwardly as best seen in Figs. 5 and 6. These deformations are inclined inwardly toward the central portion of the guide member so as to direct the abutments I6e into proper engagement with the sprocket teeth. Other deformations 33 are folds of metal struck up from plate 2! and extending diagonally across the bends connecting portions 21b and Ma.

Considering this construction and referring to Fig. 2, it will be apparent that any .thrust on one of theguide members will be carried by a strong beam construction aided by strengthening deformations Z5 and 25 from the central portion of-one guide member to the end of the narrower of its lug portions and there transmitted to the wider lug portions of the next guide mem-.

ber which in turn are. strengthened at 33 where they join theirassociated central portion. Thus the entire track is kept in line and forces are transmitted without damage. to the guide lugs.

Between the tongues 28d and the inner plate 2| lies the locating :channel 22 which is best seen in Figs. 8 and 9. This channel has a web 22a which may be provided with small spaced projections 24" on oppositesides thereof so that when the parts are assembled and subjected to electrical current under pressure these projections will melt and weld the associated parts together. The flanges 22b extend downwardly and lie outside of the positioning abutments 23 on the crossbar. It will be noted that the coacting surfaces, 23a of the crossbar abutment and 220 of the locating flange, are wedge-shaped and so engage each other as the guide member is pulled into final position on the crossbar by tightening of the nut ii) that these parts are tightly wedged together so as to give a very satisfactory engagement between the guide member and the track. It will be noted also from Fig. 3 that the outermost surfaces of the flanges 22b snugly engage the inner faces of the sprocket engaging portions llie which aids in positioning the guide member on the crossbar.

, It will be noted from Fig. 4' that the plates when assembled and welded together have large areas secured to andreinforcing each other, i. e., the flanges Zib' of the inner plates engage the plates 20 and 29" over a large area and are secured thereto by a suilicient number of welded spots. The line 3-5 indicates a sli ht break in plate'zl toconform to plate 20 or 20. As best seen in. Figs. 5 and 7 the flanges ill) of the inner plates are flattened against the plates 23 and 20- in the areas welded together. As previously aesarss explained the central portienfof plate II, the tongues 26d; and thelecator channel 22 are fi rm-f 1y secured-together over a large areauff- The guide member is secured-tether crossbar stud rec which passe's-betweentongues 20d and through centrally located apertures in channel H and pIa-teZ I. Alock washer 3-2 and nut l8 are the securing means. f Rleferring now to'Figs. 10,11" and 12; amodifiedformof the" device is'shown having many features-in common with the described form and therefore similar: parts have been given similar reference characters. V I member- 21: is substantially identical with the member previously described. The outsideplate members 2-0 and- Zll" are 'very'{ nearly: the same except that theyomit the deformations- 200 and the tongues 2002' are wider, extendingfto the line '2' where the innerend of [the tongue abuts against a shouldenzt' extending squarely across thec-rossbar' F6. It will 'be understood that as iii-"the previously described form" the parts 26, f and 2| are first fbrmed and are then elecme sy Welded togetherjiin-derpressure so as to secure broad surfaces the members together. Various spots where welding"occurshave been indicated in Figs. 10' and, ll, but it-iwi' ll be "urn derstood that these spots may be differently placed, it, my being necessary that the" meeting surfaces befwell securedr' togethen Q Positioning abutments Hi fare hereformed on-th'e "upper surface of 'the crossbar member I Eh spaced so as to, receive snugly theouterfaces of' the plates Zfland 28' as indicated in Figs; 11* and r2. It willbe noted, thatthese abutments together with. the. shoulders? 2,8 3 form definite positioning parts holding the guide member firmly on the crossbar I5 and absorbing any side thrust. This side thrust is the important force resisted by the guide members. Inasmuch as the guide lug portions extending outwardly on each side of each crossbar transmit forces along the line of guide members as explained in connection with Fig. 2, the abutments Iiif on the various crossbars and the guide lug portions keep the entire track in line.

Two parallel grooves 29 are the crossbar member lfib so as to render easier the machining of the surface 30, against which the central portion 2la of the inner plate rests. The substantially parallel side edges of this central portion Zla as indicated at the point 3| in Fig. 10 engage against the inner faces of the sprocket engaging abutments lfie, thus preventing movement of the guide member lengthwise of the track. It will be understood, as in the first described modification, thatv .the parts which have here been described in connection with the second modification are formed of metal stampings welded together, heat treated if necessary and then assembled on the stud 60 with a lock washer 32, the entire assembly being pulled down into position and held there by the nut l8.

It will be understood that the deformations 33 shown and described in connection with the first form may be used in exactly the same manner in plate 2| of the second form shown in Figs. 10 to 12.

What we claim is:

1. In a flexible endless self-laying track movable in a path and having crossbars spaced along said track transversely to said path of movement, abutments on said crossbars generally parallel to said path and normally in alinement, and substantially rigid guide lugs fixed on said cast or forged in The inside plate crossbars "engaging {said abutments, guide lug on each crossbar overlapping the tags on adjacent bars with slight clearanceg'whereby said lugs and abutments main-tam said track in alinement resisting localised forces tending to move a portion of said track out; of saidpath.

2.'The combination oi claim 1 wherein said guide lugs are formed of metalplates having strengthening d'eformat'ionsextendingalongover lapping portions of said lugsto form strong beam sections for coacting lug portions transmitting thrust acting transversely of said path.

3. In the combination of a flexible endless self-laying track having erossbars. spaced at regular intervals and having guidemembers onsaid crossbars interengaging one another, coast ing positioning deformations onsaid crossbars and guide members,means forclampi-ng-lysecuring said members to said bars, andcoa-eting wedgeshapesurfaces on said members and bars moved intotight fitting engagement by actionof said securing means. i

4'. In the combination of a; flexible endless selflaying track movable ina path and having-cross= bars spaced; along saidtrack' transversely to said path of movement, a guide member comprising a central portion secured to a'crossbar and substantiallyparallel guide lug portions extending generally parallel to said path, said guide member comprising inner and outer metal plates welded together, and coacting-interengaging parts on said crossbar andone of said plates f'orpositioning said member on said bar; 5/In a flexible endless self-laying track movable in a path and having crossbars spaced along.

said track transversely tosaid path of movement, said Crossbars being adapted to engage adriving sprocket, guide members one for each crossbar and comprising a central portion secured to the crossbar and substantially parallel guide lug portions extending generally parallel to said path, the lug portions of one guide member slidingly engaging the lug portions of adjacent guide members, said lug portions comprising a plurality of metal plates, and one of said plates having deformations inclined inwardly from the ends of said lug portions toward said central portion for guiding said crossbar into proper engagement with the sprocket teeth and for strengthening said plates.

6. In a flexible endless self-laying track movable in a path and having crossbars spaced along said track transversely to said path of movement, said crossbars being adapted to engage a driving sprocket, guide members one for each crossbar and comprising a central portion secured to the crossbar and substantially parallel guide lug portions extending generally parallel to said path, the lug portions of one guide member slidingly engaging the lug portions of adjacent guide members, and said guide members comprising a plurality of plates welded together, there being a hollow space between said plates strengthening said guide member.

i 7. In a flexible endless self-laying track movable in a path and having crossbars spaced along said track transversely to said path of movement, said crossbars being adapted to engage a driving sprocket, guide members one for each crossbar and comprising a central portion secured to the crossbar and substantially parallel guide lug portions extending generally parallel to said path, the lug portions of one guide member slidingly engaging the lug portions of adjacent guide members, and said guide members comprising a, plusaid guide members comprising a plurality of plates generally parallel to each other and Welded together, said plates having strengthening oleformations, said deformations being on, difierent plates and complementary to eachother in their strengthening effect. ,7 I

, ;9. In a flexible endless self-laying track movable in a path and having crossbars spaced along said track transversely to said path of movement, said crossbars being'adapte'd to engage a driving sprocket, guide members one for each crossbar and comprising a central portion secured 'to the crossbar and substantially parallel guide lug portions extending generally parallel to said path,-

the lug portions of one guide member slidingly engaging: the lug portions of adjacent guide members, each'of said guide members having an inner plate U-form in transverse section through said. central portion and havingintegral wing extensions along said lug portions, each of said guide members having two outer plates L-form in transverse section through said central portion and having integral wingextensions along said lug portions, and said inner and-outer plates being welded togetherat said central portions and alongsaid lug portions. I

35 tioned plate.

10.,The combination of claim 9 wherein said crossbarisprovided with parallel abutments and the central portionsof said outerplateslie between said abutments. 7,

11. The combination of claim 9 wherein said cross bar is provided with parallel abutments and the central portion of saidinner plate lies between said abutments. H

12 The combination of' claim 9 wherein said crossbar is provided withan abutment centrally of said guide-member, and the central portions of said outer plates engageopposite sides of said abutment.

13. The method of forming, for flexible endless self-laying tracks, guide members having interengaging guide lug portions and track engaging portions, comprising die-forming deformable metal sheets to the desired dimensions and with strengthening configurations for said lug portions, formingother metal sheets forsaid track engaging portions, and assembling said sheets and welding them to a composite whole inwhich one sheet reinforces the other. 4

14. In the combination of a flexible endless self-laying track movable in a path and having crossbars spaced along said track transversely to said path of movement, a guide member having a central portion adapted to be secured to a crossbar and also having substantially parallel guide lug portions extending generally parallel to said path of movement and comprising inner and outer metal plates welded together, one of said plates being recessed in dish form and the other of said plates lying in the recess of said first men- EDWIN L. ALLEN. HAROLD B. MUS'IER. 

